The 3rd training course was held at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia on 8-12 October 2011 with PICES and IOC/WESTPAC as co-organizers. The course was jointly sponsored by NOWPAP, PICES, IOC/WESTPAC and IOCCG (International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group). Among the 58 applications from 24 countries, the Organizing Committee selected and funded 7 trainees for the training course in addition to 15 self-funded trainees. The trainees are from the four NOWPAP member states (China, Korea, Japan and Russia) as well as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. With the kind support of the Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (POI FEB), the training course was successfully conducted.